by Rod Pearson
Wednesday, Mar 13, 2024
Game Time: 7:00 pm ET, Thursday, March 14, 2024
Venue: Amalie Arena, Tampa, FL
Where to Watch: ESPN+
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Moneyline: Rangers -110, Lightning -110; Over/Under: 6 goals
Bet365: Moneyline: Rangers -110, Lightning -110; Over/Under: 6 goals
BetMGM: Moneyline: Rangers -110, Lightning -110; Over/Under: 6 goals
Season Record
New York Rangers: 43-18-4 (1st place, Metropolitan Division)
Tampa Bay Lightning: 34-25-6 (4th place, Atlantic Division)
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Recent Form
New York Rangers: 7-2-1 last 10
Tampa Bay Lightning: 4-5-1 last 10
New York Rangers vs Tampa Bay Lightning Preview and Analysis
The Rangers are entering this game with 90 points, a 43-18-4 record overall, and they are 20-10-4 in their road games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game off a win against the Carolina Hurricanes in their last game, winning that one on the road 1-0. Adam Fox scored 1 goal for them in that game. Chris Kreider and Ryan Lindgren each led the team in assists with 1 while Vincent Trocheck led the team in shots on net in that game with 5. Igor Shesterkin was the starting goalie in that game and he recorded the shutout as he allowed 0 goals on 28 shots with 28 saves and a 1.000 save percentage. Their offense has scored 214 goals this season averaging 3.3 goals per game and their defense has allowed their opponents to score 173 goals against them allowing 2.7 goals per game.
The Lightning are entering this game with 74 points, a 34-25-6 record overall, and they are 20-9-4 in their home games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game off a win against the Philadelphia Flyers in their last game, winning that one at home 7-0. Victor Hedman led the team in goals scored with 2 while Anthony Duclair, Brayden Point, Brandon Hagel, Nicholas Paul, and Conor Sheary each scored 1 goal for them in that game. Darren Raddysh led the team in assists with 5 while Victor Hedman led the team in shots on net in that game with 6. Andrei Vasilevskiy was the starting goalie in that game and he recorded the shutout as he allowed 0 goals on 25 shots with 25 saves and a 1.000 sv percentage. Their offense has scored 224 goals this season averaging 3.4 goals per game and their defense has allowed their opponents to score 219 goals against them allowing 3.4 goals per game.
Rangers vs Lightning Prediction
The current betting odds have the Rangers listed as a pick 'em in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Rangers have looked really good in their games this season with their 43-18-4 record overall which leads their division in the East right now with one of the best records in the entire NHL. They have also looked good in their road games with their 20-10-4 road record. Meanwhile, the Lightning have looked good in their games this season with their 34-25-6 record overall, but that record only has them in 4th place of their division in the East and fighting for a Wild Card spot right now. They have looked a lot better on home ice this season with their 20-9-4 home record but they haven't looked that good in their games lately. They did beat up on the Flyers in their last one but they are only 4-5-1 in their last 10 games and have been struggling lately just to stay in the Wild Card race. The Rangers have been really consistent all season and they are the hotter team coming into this one with their 7-2-1 record in their last 10 games. They also have a lot of momentum on their side with 3 wins in a row now and just won a close 1-0 game in their last one too. The Rangers are one of the best teams in the NHL right now while the Lightning have been on the decline for a while now. The best way to place a bet here is on the Rangers to win this game.
Rangers Lightning Prediction: Our NHL Pick for Thursday, March 14, 2024 (7:00 pm ET start time) is Rangers 4 Lightning 1.
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NHL Betting Trends
New York Rangers: 42-22 (+7.3 units) on the moneyline in all games. 33-20 (+10 units) on the moneyline off a win against a division rival. 92-60 (+12.2 units) on the moneyline off a win or tie in their previous game. 6-1 UNDER after scoring 1 goal or less in their previous game. 11-6 UNDER after shutting out their opponent in their previous game.
Tampa Bay Lightning: 146-111 (-5.8 units) on the moneyline in all games. 53-44 (-10.7 units) on the moneyline after a win by 2 goals or more. 14-18 (-7.6 units) on the moneyline after playing a game where 7 or more total goals were scored. 22-13 UNDER after 3 or more consecutive overs. 56-38 UNDER revenging 2 straight losses vs opponent by 2 goals or more.
Key Injuries
New York Rangers: M. Rempe (C) Ques Tues - Suspension. J. Trouba (D) Late March - Lower Body. B. Wheeler (RW) out for season - Lower Body. F. Chytil (C) out for season - Upper Body.
Tampa Bay Lightning: T. Jeannot (LW) Late March - Lower Body. E. Cernak (D) Ques Thurs - Lower Body. M. Sergachev (D) Late April - Leg. B. Seabrook (D) out for season - Shoulder. L. Brown (C) Out indefinitely - Undisclosed.
Notable Quotes
“They were awesome tonight. Traveling here and playing a team that’s playing as well as they are.” - Peter Laviolette after his team’s win against the Hurricanes in their game on Tuesday.
“A lot of things went our way.” - Jon Cooper after his team’s win against the Flyers in their game on Saturday.
Starting Lineups
New York Rangers
LW Panarin, Artemi
C Trocheck, Vincent
RW Lafrenière, Alexis
LD Lindgren, Ryan
RD Fox, Adam
G Shesterkin, Igor
Tampa Bay Lightning
LW Hagel, Brandon
C Point, Brayden
RW Kucherov, Nikita
LD Hedman, Victor
RD Raddysh, Darren
G Vasilevskiy, Andrei
Statistical Leaders
New York Rangers
Points: A. Panarin (87)
Goals: A. Panarin (35)
Assists: A. Panarin (52)
GAA: J. Quick (2.38)
Tampa Bay Lightning
Points: N. Kucherov (107)
Goals: N. Kucherov (38)
Assists: N. Kucherov (69)
GAA: A. Vasilevskiy (2.96)
Coaches:
New York Rangers: Peter Laviolette (1st season)
Tampa Bay Lightning: Jon Cooper (12th season)
Rod Pearson
About the Author:
Rod Pearson has been a rabid sports fan his entire life. He grew up in Ontario, and was skilled in both hockey and baseball, and pitched in an elite baseball league for many years. In 2022, Rod decided to hang up his glove, so that he could write about the sports he loves -- but from a gambling perspective. Join Rod every day as he breaks down the games to find the best betting value.
